On the evening of February 21, the Sky Theatre was ablaze with colour. The 2026 Chinese New Year fireworks gala, "Blazing Lights Celebrate Spring — A Chinese New Year in Fireworks", kicked off amid great anticipation, delivering the first audio-visual feast of 2026 to visitors from all over the country.

"Wow!" A roar of amazement went up from the crowd as the show began. A radiant "celestial horse", formed by a formation of drones, soared across the night sky on colourful clouds, leading the audience on a "journey of faith" spanning the length and breadth of China.

The gala centred on the celestial horse collecting "New Year blessings" from the east, south, west, north and central regions, unfolding in five chapters:Golden Steed Shining in the West, White Steed Blessing the North, Red Steed Glowing in the South, Green Steed Resonating by the River, and Five Blessings Gather in the Steed.

From the thunderous drums of the northwest and the dreamlike splendour of Dunhuang, to the grassland melodies and bold spirit of Northeast China; from the fiery dances and heroic folk performances of Lingnan, to the gentle rhythms and celebratory drum beats of the Jiangnan region —accompanied by brilliant fireworks, spectacular shows including ethnic songs and dances, intangible cultural heritage performances, and AI robot dances took the stage one after another, lifting the atmosphere to new heights.The audience felt as if they had travelled across China on a cultural journey alongside the celestial horse.

"This is my first time watching fireworks in Liuyang — it’s breathtaking!"Mr Zhang, a visitor from Zhengzhou, Henan Province, could not hide his excitement."When I go back home, I will definitely recommend it to my family and friends, so they can witness this romance unique to Liuyang with their own eyes."

The climax arrived in the fifth chapter, Five Blessings Gather in the Steed.The "celestial horse" returned to Hunan with harvests from all directions and burst into a sky full of radiance, a heartfelt tribute to the spirit of "daring to be the first and passing on the torch".A giant "Tree of Life" took root and grew in the night sky, with green dots falling like stardust, drawing waves of applause and cheers from the crowd.

Besides visitors from across the country, the gala also welcomed special guests:Wu Guoqiang, a national advanced worker; He Ping, nominee for the 4th and 5th National Moral Model Award for filial piety and respect for the elderly; Tang Yong, a "China Good Person";as well as representatives of new forms of employment such as couriers and food delivery riders, who were invited to enjoy the show and feel the warmth and respect of the city amid the dazzling fireworks.

"As a representative of new employment groups, I feel truly honoured to attend this fireworks gala,"said Huang Bo, a courier from SF Express Hunan."This brilliant Tree of Life belongs not only to the stage, but to every hard-working runner for life and the city."

Both inside the Sky Theatre and outside, the whole area became an immersive "fireworks theatre".To welcome visitors from afar, multiple free viewing zones were set up along Jincheng Avenue and surrounding areas, where citizens and tourists stopped to look up and share the romance of the bursting fireworks.

"I drove all the way from Wuhan to Liuyang just for this,"Ms Chen, a visitor from Wuhan, Hubei, told reporters at a free viewing area."Even without an inner-circle ticket, the atmosphere outside is just amazing!"

In addition to the main venue at the Sky Theatre, from February 20 to 21, Liuyang also launched a "1+N" fireworks series,with mini firework displays at guesthouses, hotels and scenic spots including No.5 Valley Guesthouse, Yintian Hotel, the Autumn Harvest Uprising Memorial Hall and the Footbridge, open to citizens and visitors.

The dazzling fireworks lit up the night sky, ignited people’s aspirations for a better life, and painted a magnificent picture blending regional charm and the spirit of the times, carrying sincere wishes for the Year of the Horse.

The gala’s huge popularity quickly translated into consumption momentum.Nearly 10,000 tickets for the show sold out in advance, with more than 80% bought by out-of-province visitors.Data showed that on the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, Liuyang attracted over 200,000 overnight visitors,driving more than 250 million yuan in comprehensive consumption across catering, accommodation, shopping, culture and tourism.